1. INTRODUCTION

The aim of this programme is to assist invited social science scholars to make substantial contributions to international conferences of significant importance. By doing this, it promotes academic links amongst the social scientists in India and abroad, provides opportunity to develop new insights and to enlarge their research perspective and contribute to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in social science subjects. Under this scheme, the financial assistance is provided to Indian scholars, who have been invited to contribute and present papers at International Conference abroad.

The broad disciplines within the domain of social sciences, are:-

1. Sociology and Social Anthropology;
2. Political Science / Public Administration;
3. Economics;
4. International Studies;
5. Social Geography and Population Studies;
6. Commerce and Management;
7. Social Psychology;
8. Education;
9. Social Linguistics / Socio-Cultural Studies
10. Law / International Law
11. National Security & Strategic Studies;
12. Other allied Social Science disciplines (Library Science, Social Work, Media Studies, Modern Social History, Health Studies, Gender Studies and Environmental Studies, Energy Studies, Diaspora Studies, Area Studies, Sanskrit-Society & Culture, etc.) to promote interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research.

2. ELIGIBILITY

2.1 Faculties with regular service in public funded Universities/Deemed-to-be-Universities/Colleges, Institutes of National Importance as defined by MoE / UGC, and ICSSR Research Institutes/Recognized Institutes having a PhD degree are eligible to apply.

2.2 Post-Graduate/PhD/PDF scholars in Social Science disciplines who are in the advanced stage of their studies/research are eligible to apply.

2.3 Preference will be given to -

a. Younger scholars;

b. Scholars attending conference/ seminars for the first time;

c. Scholars from remote and backward areas

2.4 Independent scholars having served as Civil servants, officers from Defence services, and other professionals with a social science perspective having not less than 20 years of regular service and demonstrable research experience through publications of books/research papers/reports/policy documents, etc. may also apply

2.5 The application will be considered only when the paper for oral presentation after its review process is accepted by the organizer of the Conference through a formal invite. A formal invitation letter should be submitted along with the application. A simple email will not be considered as a formal invite.

2.6 If the paper is co-authored, priority will be given to the first author. But a No Objection Certificate (s) from the second author(s) may be procured and attached with the application.

2.7 Scholars, who have been invited for poster presentation or chair a session or invited as conveners/rapporteurs or to attend a workshop/training/refresher/summer/winter course, are not eligible.

3. HOW TO APPLY

3.1 Applications can be submitted online throughout the year.

3.2 The applications should be uploaded at least three months before the due date of the Conference followed by the hard copy of the application.

3.3 The application will not be entertained or considered in any case after participation and presentation of paper in the Conference.

3.4 After submitting online application, a hard copy of the same, along with all documents, must be sent to: In-charge, ICG Division, Indian Council of Social Science Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU institutional Area, New Delhi 110067.

3.5 The submission of Full length paper to be presented is mandatory and it should be either in English or Hindi.

4. PROCEDURE FOR AWARD

4.1 Applications are initially scrutinised by the ICSSR Secretariat.

4.2 Thereafter an Expert Committee after reviewing the applications on the basis of the research background of the applicant, quality of the paper to be presented as well as analysing the academic credential of the organizing institution gives its recommendations.

4.3 The recommendations of the Expert Committee are then placed before the Research Committee/Council for its final approval.

5. DURATION AND VALUE

5.1 Faculties are eligible for financial assistance up to 50 percent of the total cost of visit under this scheme which include air travel, visa fee, travel insurance, local conveyance, maintenance costs for the period of stay abroad (not exceeding the actual days of conference plus travel dates), and registration fee up to US$200. However, the scholars are encouraged to apply for exemption from registration fee, if applicable under special circumstances.

5.2 The faculties belonging to SC/ST categories, Persons with Benchmark Disability and Post-Graduate scholars/Doctoral/Post-Doctoral researchers (without salary protection) will be considered for full financial assistance, which include air travel, visa fee, travel insurance, local conveyance, maintenance costs for the period of stay abroad (not exceeding the actual days of conference plus travel dates), and registration fee up to US$200, if they have not received any financial assistance from other sources. However, faculties from ICSSR Research Institutes/Recognized Institutes may also be considered for full financial assistance of the total cost of the visit.

6. RELEASE OF GRANT

6.1 The expenditure will be reimbursed on submission of the original boarding pass, attendance certificate, statement of expenditure and a report on the participation in the Conference attended duly forwarded by the Supervisor/ Head of the Department/Centre.

7. MONITORING

7.1 The ICSSR may ask for a copy of the tickets booked and visa obtained before departure.

8. CONDITIONS

8.1 It is expected from the scholars/researchers that the paper presented in international conference with the support of ICSSR be published in high valued journals/edited books/impactful reports giving due acknowledgement to the ICSSR. The ICSSR also reserves the right to publish such papers presented abroad, if required.

8.2 Kindly note that the paper presented either through power point presentation or oral presentation should clearly display the ICSSR logo and its support. You are encouraged to tag the ICSSR social media handles for wider dissemination of information regarding your participation in the conference.

8.3 Invitation received from global subject associations/reputed international organisations/universities or institutions will be given preference. Due consideration would be given to the nature of the peer review process instituted by the conference organizers in selecting the papers. However, the Indian organization conducting seminars/conferences abroad will not be considered under the travel grant scheme..

8.4 It will be the scholar's responsibility to make his/her travel arrangements i.e. purchase of air tickets, visa, accommodation, etc. It is mandatory to purchase the air tickets (economy class) only from the three government approved Travel Agencies viz: M/s Ashoka Travels and Tours (ATT), M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd (BLCL), Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC).

8.5 Application for the second time will be considered only after a gap of three years. However, a scholar can avail the award only twice in his/her lifetime.

8.6 ICSSR follows Government of India rules & directives with regard to SC, ST and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.

8.7 The Council reserves the right to reject any application without assigning any reason. We shall not be responsible for any postal delays/loss.

8.8 Incomplete applications and those not duly forwarded by the appropriate authorities will not be accepted.

8.9 The final authority related to the interpretation of the guidelines or any other issue is vested with the ICSSR.

9. COMPLETION

On completion of the visit the scholar should submit the following:-

• 9.1 A detailed report on the participation in the international conference.
• 9.2 Copies of air tickets, visa stamped, visa payment receipt, registration fee receipt, original boarding pass, certificate of participation, etc.